Day 42: Kroger Maintains Mask Policy

One of the top 3 grocery stores in the United States confirmed, along with other leading retailers, that their mask up requirement has not changed in light of Texas and Mississippi governors lifting statewide mandates.

“[We] continue to require everyone in our stores across the country to wear masks until all our frontline grocery associates can receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” a Kroger rep said via statement to USA Today.

Kroger has built stores around the nation since its founding in Cincinnati, Ohio in the 1800s. Their “family of stores” includes Harris Teeter, City Market and Dillons.

Macy’s, Starbucks, Target, Best Buy, Kohls, CVS, Walgreens, Toyota and General Mills are among the other major retailers to confirm with media that their mask policies are to stay in place, for now.

Meanwhile, the the third largest supermarket, Albertsons has said they’re softening policies for patrons but not staff. “For associates and vendors, we will continue to follow the CDC guidance and will require face coverings. For customers, we will encourage face coverings to be worn while in the store.”

Senator José Menéndez (D-TX) was swift in his response, too. “I’m going to continue to mask up because it protects others,” he said in a video message posted to Twitter, “and I hope that you continue to wear your mask because it protects others.”

Violence and arguments have broken out in stores throughout the pandemic with customers and staffers squaring off over whose rules to follow. In several social media clips, customers claim they have medical exemptions from wearing masks.

Calvin Munerlyn, a security guard at a Family Dollar in Flint, Michigan was fatally shot after one confrontation escalated.